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Musial went about his business without flash or dash. Just check out his reaction after getting his 1,500th hit in 1950. But Cardinals fans noticed his greatness, as did opposing fans, who found it hard to boo him.

His nickname, in fact, came from Brooklyn Dodgers fans. "Here comes the man," people in the crowd would say before he tattooed Ebbetts Field's walls with hit after hit after hit.

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3,000th hit

Musial's 3,000th hit came in the unfamiliar role of pinch-hitter. Musial hit a double off Chicago Cubs pitcher Moe Drabowsky in sixth inning at Wrigley Field on May 13, 1958. Musial would finish his career with 3,630 hits, fourth most all time. (AP Photo)

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Another milestone

Musial watches the ball as hit heads for the pavilion screen in right field at Sportsman's Park on Aug. 17, 1956, for a double, breaking the National League's extra-base hit record held by Mel Ott.

Musial wasn't considered a power hitter, but he finished with 475. He hit to all fields. (AP Photo)

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The Man with Mick

How about this for a dynamic duo? Musial and Mickey Mantle combined for 1,011 career home runs. They played against each other only in exhibition and All-Star Games. (SN Archives)

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With Ted Williams

Musial, right, jokes with Red Sox great Ted Williams, in Sarasota, Fla., during spring training March 1946. Each man would be his league's most valuable player that season, which ended with the Cardinals beating the Red Sox in Game 7 of the World Series.

It would be the third and final Series title for Musial and the only time Williams appeared in one. (AP Photo)

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Unusual stance

Musial's batting stance was unusual, but his swing was indeed sweet. It was often described as a corkscrew, from which Musial peered over his right shoulder at the pitcher. He hunched toward the plate to cover the outside corner. And when he unwound, his swing was blink-quick and dead accurate.

Musial finished with 3,630 hits, divided equally between home and the road. (AP Photo)

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Final game

Musial had a captive audience when he played his last game on Sept. 29, 1963, at Sportman's Park. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame six years later. (SN archives)

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Military service

Like a number of baseball stars, Musial joined the military in World War II. He was a member of the Navy in 1945. (SN Archives)

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Two of the best

Sporting News got two of the best hitters of all time together for a story in 1997. Musial and Tony Gwynn shared stories on hitting with mutual respect. Both men were joyful as players and delighted in their company.

Musial's exploits made their way into Sporting News as "the Bible of Baseball" covered the game like no other publication. Here's a sampling of covers that featured Stan the Man.

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Strike the pose

Musial strikes his signature batting stance after unveiling his statue at a ceremony at the new Busch Stadium in October 2006. His original statue stood outside the second Busch Stadium before being moved to the new venue, and it remains a well-known meeting place for Cardinals fans.

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Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama awards Musial the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Feb. 15, 2011. The honor is the highest any civilian can receive. (AP Photo)

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Beloved figure

Musial made St. Louis his home after retirement, where he remained the most honored Cardinals player of all time. His death is mourned as the loss of not just an icon, but of a man who touched the lives of a team and a city for more than 70 years.